Paul Merson has suggested that West Ham should not pay Marko Arnautovic his wages if he is not mentally ready to play for the club.
The Austrian was not in the Hammers’ squad to face Bournemouth on Saturday, as reported by the BBC, as the saga over his proposed move to China continues.
Speaking as a pundit on Soccer Saturday (Sky Sports News, Saturday January 19th, 12pm), ex-Arsenal man Merson said: “I’d be worried if I was West Ham if he wasn’t mentally read to play today.
“If he’s not playing today and he’s not getting paid then he shouldn’t be getting paid his wages this week, because if you’re not mentally right to play you shouldn’t get your wages.
“This is because a move isn’t happening, it’s not cause he’s not well. If he wasn’t well that would be a different matter.
“I worry for West Ham. If this deal falls through, I think he’s got his heart set on it now, he’s probably spent half the money already. I think it needs to happen.”
OPINION
It may seem like an extreme view to take, but Merson might be onto something in his frank appraisal of the Arnautovic situation. The only thing preventing the Austrian from featuring against Bournemouth, and potentially putting in a match winning turn, is his own attitude. He doesn’t want be at the club, so why should they have to pay him an extortionate amount of money? Obviously he is under contract, but he has essentially violated that agreement by all but demanding his departure. The 29-year-old has not acted in a professional manner, and that has been driven home by the fact that he was not in Pellegrini’s plans for a crucial game against the Cherries. At this stage it would probably be best for all parties if he does get his move, because even if he were to come back into the side at this stage, his heart would clearly be elsewhere, the Irons’ fans would not let him forget this whole sorry debacle.